Contact Information

Scholarships & Awards

The following is a list of annual scholarships available to students majoring in Biology. Students with outstanding academic records are encouraged to review this list, fill out the appropriate application form(s) which are available via the links below, and submit the application to the Department of Biological Sciences. Selections are usually made in late February/early March with the award ceremony (Science/Mathematics Student Honors Reception) held in April. Recipients are expected to attend the ceremony. All scholarships are received upon registration the following fall and/or spring semester.​​

The top candidates for both of these awards are selected by the scholarship committee based on academic record, drive and potential for success at UW-Whitewater. The top candidates receive $200 to help with course expenses the following semester. These grants are made possible by a donation from the College of Letters and Sciences. Membership in Beta Beta Beta, the National Honorary Biological Society, is given to the sophomore winner compliments of Dr. Dan and Mrs. Jean Sable.

The Joseph and Madeline Chopp Scholarship offers incoming freshman and continuing Biology students tuition and research support. The scholarship, supported by generous gifts in memory of the former faculty member and his wife, rewards academic excellence while promoting hands-on research opportunities. Incoming Freshman must be full-time biology students with an overall high school GPA of 3.5 or better. Preference will be given to students who have received honors or awards in high school or have been active in community service projects. If incoming freshman recipients maintain full-time status, continue as biology majors, and achieve a 3.2 GPA they will be eligible for continuation of the Chopp award through their sophomore year. The continuing freshman awards are $2500. Upper classmen applicants must maintain full-time status for the period covered by the scholarship, have a 3.4 GPA or better while at UWW, demonstrate progress towards a degree as measured by an academic advisor within the Biology department, and participate in extracurricular professional development. They must also complete an essay as determined by the faculty of the Biology department indicating why they wish to study in this field. The upperclassmen award of $2000 carries an additional $500 to support undergraduate research projects.

The Jack Cummings Biology Scholarship is made possible by Dr. John A. "Jack" Cummings' family. Professor Cummings, an UW-Whitewater alumnus served this university for 29 years from 1961 to 1990. Since quality teaching is the number one mission of this university, it is of paramount importance to attract talented and dedicated undergraduates into the teaching profession. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to a capable and deserving biology student interested in the teaching profession and to reward academic excellence. The qualified candidate is 1) enrolled at UW-Whitewater as a Biology major and 2) a junior at the time of application. Preference will be given to those candidates who have dedicated themselves to pursue a career in teaching biology. In making their selection, the scholarship committee will consider a candidate's academic record, interest in teaching biology, personality, potential for success, and accomplishments. The award given to the top candidate is a scholarship of $500-$600 for the following semester.

Dr. Joseph and Eva Fok dedicate this scholarship to the memory of Joe's father, Y.W. Fok. Joe Fok, a 1971 graduate of UW-Whitewater, was an Obstetrics and Gynecology physician in the Madison, Wisconsin area. The scholarship will be awarded to full-time UW-Whitewater sophomore, junior or senior students who are pursuing a major in the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Geology/Geography). An overall academic GPA of 3.5 or above is required. Preference will be given to those who are active in organizations. The scholarship may be renewable, but must be applied for each academic year.

Contributions from the family, colleagues, friends, and students of Willard Gross have made this memorial scholarship possible. The scholarship commemorates the dedication Dr. Gross exhibited toward his students and the University from 1968 until his death in 1990. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide a financial award to capable and deserving biology students and to encourage and reward academic excellence. Candidates must be enrolled at UW-Whitewater as Biology majors and must have junior status at the time of application. The scholarship committee will consider each candidate's scholarship, interest in pursuing a career in biology (specifically areas of ecology), personality, potential for success and need. The top candidate receives $500 to help with course expenses the following semester.

Dan and Jean Sable provide a scholarship for an outstanding biology student who is a member of Tri-Beta and is interested in pursuing a career in aquatic biology. Dr. Dan Sable taught in the Department of Biological Sciences for 31 years and served as departmental chair for three years. A generous gift makes possible a $100-$200 scholarship that may be applied to either undergraduate or graduate educational expenses.

This scholarship, established by James S. and Susan R. Schlough, is offered to UW-Whitewater junior and senior students majoring or minoring in Biology. Dr. Schlough is an emeritus professor of the Department of Biological Sciences having taught from 1965 until his retirement in 1995. During that time he served as chair of both the Biology and English Departments. He is also a member of the Science Alliance. The purpose of this merit scholarship is to promote undergraduate research in the biological sciences. A 3.0 GPA is required as well as a faculty recommendation. Awardees will be selected by the Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences.

This scholarship, given in memory of Dr. Donald J. Stevenson, by his wife, Skye Stevenson, is awarded to a deserving junior or senior who is pursuing a degree in the medical sciences. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement, have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and demonstrate need. Dr. Stevenson earned his degree at UWW in 1936, in addition to participating in football, basketball and track. He earned a medical degree in 1943 from Northwestern Medical School, served in the Army Medical Corps during WWII, and then as a Pathologist for the Madision, WI General Hospital and as a Professor of Clinical Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This scholarship is made possible by the late Ethel Upham, daughter of A.A. Upham, a former science teacher at the University. Her desire was that this scholarship would be used to encourage outstanding students to continue their studies at UW-Whitewater in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. When selecting the top candidate, the scholarship committee considers each candidate's academic record, professional goals, and relevant work experience. The A.A. Upham Scholarship usually includes a certificate and $300-$400 to help defray the cost of courses taken the following semester.

UW-Whitewater Foundations Scholarship for Outstanding Juniorfrom the College of Letters and Sciences

The UW-Whitewater Foundation would like to recognize one outstanding student from each college on an annual basis. Selection will be based on a GPA of 3.5 of more, involvement in college academic activities, student leadership, financial need, and potential for success in major area of study. The $1000 scholarship is dispersed equally between the fall and spring semesters of the student's senior year. Each department nominates one candidate to the committee.

The Pisani Yellowstone Scholarship was established by Ryan and Nicole Pisani. These former students, who met during the summer Yellowstone course, want to encourage others to experience this life-changing class. The $500 award provided by the Pisanis' is matched by Motorola Mobility, Inc., Ryan's employer. Applicants must be science major, sophomore, junior or senior standing and enrolled in the summer Yellowstone course.